Operator interest in Isle of Man Meats

The Isle of Man’s Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) has confirmed that it has received a number of formal bids from would-be operators of the island’s meat plant.

DEFA had invited tenders from operators wishing to run the plant at Tromode earlier this year. The deadline for the receipt of tenders passed on Friday 26 August.

The plant is currently run by Isle of Man Meats, a cooperative of farmers, and requires an annual government subvention which was over £1.3 million in 2016.

The tendering process was announced in the hope that a private operator would make the plant more efficient and market-focused, while saving public money and providing an essential service to the island.

Geoffrey Boot MHK, minister for environment, food and agriculture, said the formal bids would now be evaluated against the department’s requirements, which would involve careful review of the details and interviews with the tenderers.

It is hoped that a new operator will be appointed by the end of this year.

Boot added that it would be inappropriate to comment further on the bids while the process was ongoing.

Until the operator is appointed, the department will continue to financially support the current operation of the plant.